How many years with Type 2?

I was just wondering how many years some of you have been living with diabetes? Also please tell me if the 1st year is the worst emotionally? I was diagnosed 4 months ago and can't seem to accept this…is this common? Will it get better as time goes on…let me know your experiences of living with diabetes for multiple years. God Bless!

45 replies

Hi Sugarbaby. Im t2 for abouy a year and a half now and it was tough to accept when I was initially diagnosed. Talk about changing your life around! both ohysically and mentally… And yes, it gets better… I was so scared, I poked my fingers 8x a day!

I have been diabetic for 6 years now and yes the first year or so was very emotional for me and very confusing I used to be ashamed of it but as the years go by you learn to accept it just hang in there and this cite helps a lot with this post dicussions and talk about your feelings everyone on here is positive and always has a helping hand :) hang in there it gets better

I was officially diagnosed in 2005, but I can remember in the 90's having tests run and my doctor saying that I was headed for diabetes. I totally ignored his advise and continued my life style (bad eating habits) and gaining weight. In 2005, I began noticing increased thirst and frequent runs to the bathroom and no matter how early I went to bed I was tired all the time. I felt like I had run a marathon every morning. I worked with several diabetics and asked one of them if he would "test" my fasting BC. It was 160, and my weight was 262 and rising. I made an appointment with a new doctor (my original doc had retired) and told him what I was experiencing. I had tests run (fasting and A1C 160 and 7.8) he told me I was pre-diabetic and needed to lose weight. By my next appointment, he had left the firm and I was seeing another "new" doctor, she took my A1C, fasting reading, and weight (7.8, 170, 262) gave me a prescription for Metformin and a whole bunch of reading material and diet plan. I got serious about my lifestyle and weight (now down 40 pounds with a average fasting reading at 109.2). I am still working on losing more weight and reading everything I can on diabetes. I exercise, make better choices with food, get more sleep and I have learned that if life gives me lemons, I'll make lemonade and not excuses. In other words, if you are a diabetic, you my be in denial for awhile but get a grip on reality and get busy on getting your life in check. Find a good doctor, diet & exercise plan, meds. It takes WORK and I won't lie, there are times when I get frustrated, but I am worth it and so are YOU! Good luck and God Bless!

I'm on 5 months… Type 2. So emotional ups and down for me not so much the first few moths, but in this the 5th yeah. My is most all external emotional conflict. Now the type 2 i see it as a tool and use it to no end.

I was diagnosed in 2008. I was not really surprised, as I am the last person in my immediate family to have it. I worked hard and did a lot of research and found this site very helpful. My biggest struggle was about a year and a half ago when I just got so frustrated and wanted to give up. I quit testing and didn't watch what I ate as much as I should have. I was a mess. I have since gotten back on track and am working to up my efforts of late to get me over another hump. It is an ongoing deal. You get tired of it sometimes, but you can't let that win. Push on, do what you know best to do, That will keep you feeling better both physically and emotionally.

It has been over 20 years for me. If I remember correctly I just blew it off as if nothing is wrong. It was pure denial. It hasn't been until a few years ago that I have been getting serious with it. You will have your ups and down, but hang in there. I found the support on here awesome. I get indight on things that I ahven't thought of or thought of but never to the time. YOu wioll get better once the shock and you head starts to slow down from all the informatiom, you will be fine!! GHAbg in there!!

I was told 9 yrs ago that I had type 2 after my feet was broke out in sores for 2 yrs and would not heal. I was put on metformin 500mg and still taking just that. once my feet healed I had to try and get back out there and do some walking. I didn't do it until just last yr and I've lost almost 10pds and looking forward to stop taking so much meds. Diet helps too. yes I cheat all the time with sugar but I know when I need to stop. you just have to listen to your body and what its telling you, an take class' to tell you how to do this thing called live with. Good luck in coming to terms with your life as it is today. You will do OK because you are talking about it. Gmakat

Type 2 for 15 yrs. First few yrs I was in denial. Now I wish I had continued the diet that I was on then. I was on oral insulin. Now I'm hard core 2 types of insulin which has me gain 50 lbs. Much stricter diet. Accept it & make the needed changes.before it gets worse, for it can get much worse!!!

I have had Type 2 for over 10 years. In the beginning, I started on a healthy diet and that controlled it. Not too much later I lost all my will power and started eating whatever I wanted. Soon I was having to take oral medication. Later I was having to take insulin, all the while eating whatever and not taking the advice of my doctors to loose weight. Now I am needing knee replacement surgery, but the surgeon won't perform it until I loose a large amount of weight. I am now on a very strict eating regime, after being prescribed Morphine for the knee pain. I don't want this to sound like a horror story, but this is what happens when you don't pay attention to the doctors and become non compliant. This is a very serious situation that needs to be taken to heart. From my experience, I suggest you follow the doctors advice, get all the information you can obtain (internet, books, magazines, people's experience), and find a good support group to help you when you are experiencing problems or doubts. It took over 10 years for me to realize how badly I had been treating myself. Good Luck, God Bless, and please keep a positive attitude.

I feel exactly the same way you do. While it's been a year for me, I though it would get easier to accept — not. I've been beating myself up because I'm overweight and have always struggled with that, without success. So I was assuming that my years of being overweight was what has caused this. I met with the diabetic counselor the other day, and while I felt much better when she said my assumptions are completely wrong. She said that diet and overweight is a factor, the greatest factor is by far familial. It made me feel better about that, but I still have a very gloomy outlook for the future, and I need to get rid of that. I'm not taking any medications yet, but my doctor has warned me that if I don't get some weight off and get some more exercise, medication is inevitable. I truly don't want that — or at least want to ward it off for as long as I can… we'll pull together and get rid of this downer!!

I was diagnosed as glucose intolerant almost 30 years ago. About 15 years ago I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I got really serious about it at first, suffered a lot from low blood sugar, and then I started pretending I was okay. About two months ago my A1C was 9.5 — this was after a good 8 months of taking supplements. That's when I gave in. At this point, I'm pretty good with it, although I feel like I failed diabetes management. I think when we come into this from pre-diabetes, there is the idea that if we had worked harder to dieting and exercising this wouldn't have happened. Thanks to my husband, I was able to admit that this disease challenges me on all of my weak points. I'm medicating now (Metformin/Victoza), my numbers are already coming in close to normal, and I've lost close to 10 pounds. More importantly I feel better. All that said, I still ate sweet stuff this weekend and was miserable. it's a process. Give yourself time and focus on feeling good.

I'm confused by some of the terminology of this — I was just diagnosed about a year ago, but because my fasting blood sugar was about 135 for two tests in a row, my doc has declared me to be diabetic. She uses the term "glucose resistant," but not pre-diabetic, even though my numbers are never through the roof. The "failed diabetic management" has become part of my psyche, though I'd love to be able to move past that. I'm so impressed that you were able to manage it for so long! Thank you so much for your positive attitude — it's good to know others feel crummy at times, too, AND get through it!

A lot of T2s are insulin resistant. (IR) The good news is that one's IR may be lessened through losing weight. One can temporarily lessen the IR through exercise, but to lessen the IR for a longer time one needs to lose weight. That being said, once one gets into full blown T2 there is no way to not have diabetes. One has to control it either by meal planning or by the use of diabetes medictions (or both).

Problem being, is with Insulin Resistance (where you are over producing insulin, but the cells do not know how to use it), serum insulin levels are elevated and it is extremely difficult to lose weight.

True, but these serum levels decrease dramatically with even minor weight loss. Several studies have shown that even a 10% weight reduction can reduce levels 40% or more.Reducing carb consumption goes a long way as well. Since insulin is primarily a fat-building hormone, reducing the body’s need for it also reduces the weight. This is one of Bernstein’s discoveries long ago. http://www.diabetes-book.com/book/chapter12_2...Many write Bernstein off, but from personal experience with up to 4 lipid panels per year when I was dx’d, I can say the theory is sound. The first 10% is the toughest though.

Not with all people Nick, sorry, but I have personal experience of that not working. My serum Insulin levels are still very high even after losing 25lbs in 4 mos. I eat healthy, exercise as my body allows r/t to Polyneuropathy. As I do get your theory, I also know everyone's body is different and reacts differently. Also, you mentioned reducing carbs, I count my carbs, I see a Diabetes Educator, and I am compliant with my meds (4 inj a day plus oral meds). I was just handed bad genes, but it could be worse.

True, there are those exceptions such as in your case. I didn't think that was the case with Czarina given she was diagnosed just a year ago, not on medications, didn't mention injections, and numbers that aren't all that high.

I was diagnosed in June of 2012 with T2. I'm the last of 8 children in my family to be diagnosed. My mother was diagnosed in 1961 at the age of 47. I was 5 years old. She was never hospitalized for diabetes, never got depressed or felt sorry for her self. We eat healthy and exercised. Our snacks were fruit, vegetables, graham crackers, popcorn and occasionally ice cream. Sweets were limited to birthdays and holidays. And she never fried anything. She died of a heart attack at the age of 80. She is my roll model and I am so thankful for her.

This is my 7th year, I was eight when I was diagnosed and I don't know if it was just because I was little and didn't understand it or I just didn't want to except it, but my first year to year and a half I didn't do what I was suppose to, but it got better as I got older and had a better understanding of it. I think just making the change in your life to now having to think about what to do and what not to do then doing what you think is better for your blood sugar is the hardest part. I actually remember crying the first time my mom had to give me a shot it took like 30-45 minutes just for that one shot, after I got more used to it though and better at it and I felt that it got better. But I recommend not doing like I did and just not taking care of it somedays (I would go a week or two only checking my blood sugar maybe once a day ) because that can cause a lot of problems in the future.

KathyH123 you are wiser than many adults…you found the secret to working with your disease to beat it…All of us…even me who has had the disease since 2000, but wasn't diagnosed until my weight shot up…after struggling with asthma due to allergies..vicious circles of having to use Prednisone which clears the lungs but makes you ravenous. ANY one who has ever been on it gains weight even if you are on a strict diet. IT is the nature/side effect of the drug. I was on and off for two years straight. Bless you for dealing with and handling your disease…you are inspirational…

I have had diabetes since summer of 1995, so would be roughly 13 years at this writing.

I was in denial at first and emotionallyshut down. My emotional time was a couple of years after Dx I got angry a lot and wanted to harm myself. 1997 was a tough year for me and for my family because they never knew what I might do or what my attitude miight be. Now I am pretty laid back.

I'm happy that you finally came to terms with the fact that you will always be a diabetic jayabee52. I was diagnosed 12 yrs. ago. It was rough for me as well. I thought it was because I was over weight and just absolutely love my chocolate but, I was told it is in the genes. Unfortunately, diabetes runs on both my father's and mother's side so, I guess I didn't stand a chance. I have since lost 28 lbs and struggle daily to get that weight off. My doctor said he isn't worried about the number just that I do what I'm supposed to do. Eat right and get some exercise. He knows it is difficult for me to do the exercise as I have other medical conditions but told me to do exercise throughout the day even if it's 5 mins here and there. Still getting used to the idea that I'll always be a diabetic. I thought that if I were to get my A1C below 6 I wouldn't be but the doc said once a diabetic always a diabetic. Darn!!! God bless you jayabee52.

Howdy WildNana. Thanks for your words of encouragement.I have discontinued the insulin I was injecting because I had learned that I could manage my diabetes by eating a low carb/high protein meal plan. I achieved an A1c of 5.5 and lost 65 lbs over a 5 mo period and had normalized my Blood Glucose (BG) levels.

One may achieve an A1c of 4.4 to 5.4 and have one's BG levels in the normal range, but that does not mean one no longer has diabetes. If anything like what one eat changes, or sickness, or emotional upset the diabetes will rear its ugly head through elevated BG levels.

Me too! I say I'm on a see food diet…I see the food and I eat it! LOL!!! Even though I have cut out or back on some of the foods I love it is difficult to lose weight and I get so depressed. Today is my first day on this sight and I'm happy I found it. It's good to hear others are feeling the same way. Not good but I appreciate that others have some of the same feelings I am having and we can vent our thoughts here. Best to you jenjen9373.

I have had diabetes for 20 years. When I was first diagnosed, I was surprised and disappointed. While I was pre-diabetic, I changed my diet, exercised, changed my job to be more physically active, read a few dozen books, etc. I still ended up with diabetes.I immediately took action and did everything I could to manage and learn about this potentially nasty condition. I never believed that my diabetes would ever get a chance to damage me severely. To me, in a way, it's like having a tiger in a cage! Keep your tiger well managed, and locked in his cage, and he can never harm you. Don't get careless though and forget about the lock!I didn't find the first year particularly difficult. there were some years that were more difficult then others however. That's because diabetes does progress. There were years where meds stopped working, or side effects from meds became prevalent. I was always fortunate enough to find a way however to keep my tiger caged. No complications so far! I do everything in life that I always did, with two exceptions, I eat much healthier foods and exercise more often. Man o man, am I lucky!!! If diabetes gets the best of me in the end, that's when I'll cross that bridge, and not before! Too many things to do, and worrying about diabetes is an extremely low priority.

Oh, that first year was SO emtional! I was so angry with myself, depressed that I had yet another thing wrong with my health and beyond guilty knowing that I was responsible for jump starting my diabetes. Until I remembered everything that I have to fight for - my midgets (my brother's kids) and my whole life with my husband. I didn't want to lose the all the time I have left with my family. I'm a military wife and family (blood or military) is what makes my world go round. How could I just give up on them?

So I made up my mind to re-channel all of my anger and shove myself out of my depression. I started recording everything I ate (so I could figure out why this number jumped or what helped keep me even), I started walking and practicing yoga again and I started to reward myself properly again (instead of a sunday I'd get a book or new clothes). I also started to learn more about diabetes, I buy one or two new magazines every month, searched through the library, started buying new cook books and really started to enjoy life.

I learned that being a diabetic may be difficult sometimes, but that with some practice it doesn't have to ruin my life. Before for some reason even with everything I had been through I couldn't see the joy in my life. It sounds kind of weird, but diabetes has shoved the joys in my life right into my face.

How's that saying go? When life shoves you shove back? Well, when it shoves you and you fall; stop and take a look around to see if you can't find a wild flower next you.

Well it took me about three months to accept my T2 dianosis. Yet during that time great friends poured thru the computers and was getting me info. Now here about six or seven years later I am still dealing. Dealing with spikes and etc. Dealing with things like having Shingles and healing up from it. LOL Yet the best thing is to find a great doctor. Next know what to eat and exercise. Start getting positive for that is very important. Your mind set is the controlling factor here. Just know here on this website you have others to help and support you. Hugs

Hi, Sugarbaby! I was diagnosed as a T2 about 3-4 years ago. I cried. I will admit it- I lost it. My first thought was, "Oh my god, I'm a statistic. Just another fat American who has T2D." I mourned … myself, really. Now, I'm no closer to really lowering my levels. I'm trying to find an amazing doctor who will listen to me and who isn't afraid to try different things. It can be frustrating. I'm 28 years old, and drastically worry about my health, especially if looking towards starting a family or any other major changes in life.

That all said, I agree 100% with JustJoyce… You have diabetes. IT DOES NOT HAVE YOU. You're still the same you that you were yesterday. You have loving people in your life that you had before you heard the news. You still have the same life. This is just one small component now. It doesn't redefine you. It doesn't change who you are. It may change your diet- but that's just food. It may change your energy levels, but that's okay- we all have "sluggish" days.

I'd recommend using a food tracker. I LIVE off of "MyFitnessPal" and it's a good eye opener to see how your eating habits really are. I was in straight denial. It's also helpful to build a community of people who understand. Lastly, definitely visit a nutritionist. Make at LEAST 3 appointments. You'll be surprised to see some of what you'll learn :)

I have been T2 6 years. The only thing in my life that changed was eating and exercise. I was upset for 24 hours then I accepted it and moved on. Didn't have any problems except with what to eat and how much. Took about a month to get used to learning what to eat and testing after each meal to find out what would cause me problems. I thought it was hilarious because things I thought would spike didn't which made me happy as a clam. I do not have time to sit around and feel sorry for myself because I am diabetic. The sooner you accept you have diabetes, the better off you are.

I don't focus on diabetes because I have it and it does not have me. Diabetes does not control my life or prevent me from doing what I want to do. I don't talk about it and 99% of the time I don't think about it. Between finding a job and all the community work I do, I would never accomplish anything in life had I not accepted being diabetic which is why it is not the main focus in my life.

I celebrated my 45th anniversary of Type 1 diabetes September 21 this year. I was involved playing soccer and tennis in high school and college plus I enjoyed performing in plays so I was busy informing my team mates and friends about my needs to manage my severe condition. We learn every day with diabetes and it is fun learning at first with your parents, your teachers, your coaches, and your friends. Letting people into my diabetes was a great way of sharing my diabetes.

I was diagnosed when I was about three weeks old I got really sick I was put on insulin right away. So I've had it for 21 years and as I get older my days are getting more emotional because I don't want to be the freak around my friends now I'm a loner. But I decided to control my diabetes not let control me.

21rose, real friends won't think you are a freak they will love you for who you are not the fact that you are diabetic. I am so happy you control your diabetes and not let it control you. That is a very positive attitude. People who are loners are that way because they choose to be. At 21 you have your entire life ahead of you. The one thing I learned in life is never be conderned with what people think of me. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, " No one can make you feel inferior without your permission". I don't give them permission.

It’ll be 7 years in February, and yeah, the first year can be a monster. From interactions here, it seems to be mentally worse on women than men too. At first I denied it, then took the attitude that I was sick or “damaged” and I’d just have to learn to live with it. Then, an angel kind of touched my shoulder and got me to lose a little weight, which turned into a lot, and here I am controlled, thinner, active and a whole lot happier. Wasn’t an easy or comfortable road, but the further I traveled it, the better the scenery became.

Nick I think it depends on the mentality of the person. Believe me, I know women who can't let go, move forward, think for themselves, can't or won't do anything for themselves and depend on others. I got rid of them in my life because they got on my nerves. I can't stand people who can't or won't stand on their own two feet to do one thing. I know it sounds harsh but these kind of people drain your energy.

For people who can't accept change it would be very difficult. It also depends on your outlook on life. Yes diabetes will change your lifestyle but it is not the end of your life. Not one of us was born with a gurantee that our lives would be perfect, that we would have good health until we die or that nothing bad would ever happen to us. It is how we handle the obsticles in life. Some are better at it than others. Thankfully, I had parents who raised my sister and I to be strong and independent and to never depend on people to be there for you. The reality is that you can't depend on others because they have their own lives to live and can't always be bothered with every problem we have. This is why I am self motivating and self supporting when it comes to my being diabetic. This is my disease, not my friends or family. I have to take care of it and no one else. When I realized I had to be stronger to fight depression was because of how I was raised.

Life is ever changing. I have learned to change with it, keep a positive outlook and move on.

I agree Just Joyce. There are a lot more things in life than fretting over diabetes, which can actually be controlled with some discipline and dedication. I thank God everyday and do the best I can. On my "self-pitty" days, I just remind myself that there is someone out there in worse shape than I am.

Can’t disagree with that Joyce. As Dr. Gary so eloquently put it a while back, “life on life’s terms”.The end of the world will come for each of us at some time guaranteed, but a little high blood sugar sure ain’t the apocalypse many make it out to be – male or female. It could be infinitely worse.I have a good male friend who’s a denyabetic – well used to be a good friend anyway. Sad to think I was all negative and brooding like that, but I was. Don’t think I’d be here if I didn’t change my attitude.

January next year will be my 4th year since diagnosis. So far, the 1st year was the hardest. As I have learned how to adapt my eating to what my BG meter shows are good and bad foods, I have been gaining confidence in myself. Still is hard emotionally when my BG goes on a roller coaster ride, dragging my along. But not nearly as overwhelming as when everything was new and strange. Even though I still hate the feeling of a low, I am getting better at remembering what to do.

Sugarbaby 07I have been diagnosed with type two diabetes within the last year and this first year is very tough emotionally draining physically draining I hope it gets better for both of us and everyone else out there that is struggling right now I hope it gets better for y'all and all of us!Tammy hold your head high!